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Immigration Formalities

An alien who intends to engage in remunerated employment in Finland must usually have a residence permit. A person engaged in an independent business or profession in Finland must have a residence permit for a self-employed person. Exeptions to these policies mainly concern professionals working i.e.on temporary assignments or scientific research. More detailed information is available from the Finnish Immigration Service - website.

EU Citizen’s Immigration Formalities:
EU citizens who intend to live and work in Finland for longer than three months, must register their right to reside in person at the local police station. You will need to present a valid passport and proof of your employment status (e.g. contract or stipend), so please make sure you have the documents with you when trying to register. More detailed information from the website of the local police in the Residence registration -section.

Nordic Citizen’s Immigration Formalities:
Nordic citizens register at the Register Office in case their stay exceeds 6 months. A written certificate of registration (Unionin kansalaisen oleskeluoikeuden rekisteröintitodistus) is given to persons who have been registered after the authorities have established whether the requirements for registration are met.

Immigration Formalities for citizens from other countries:

• Visa
• Residence Permit:
  
  • Employment without a residence permit:
    There are certain cases where foreigners may undertake paid employment in Finland without a residence permit. Interpreters, teachers and experts who, upon invitation or under a contract, work in Finland for no longer than three months, do not need a residence permit. They must, however, have a valid visa if they come from a country whose nationals are not visa exempt under an agreement with Finland.
    
• When to apply for documents:
  We recommend you to start the application process at least 2-3 months prior to your planned arrival in Finland. The processing times for applications vary. You should be aware that the process cannot be started until all required paperwork is received at the Embassy or Consulate.
  

Immigration formalities for family members:
In order for family members to receive residence permits, the main applicant’s income must be guaranteed by other means than state support. In Finnish legislation the definition of a family member may be narrower than elsewhere.

When registering family members with finnish authorities one should always have Apostille legalized documents available. At least marriage certificate and birth certificates for children are required before the registration process moves on.

• Applying for a residence permit on the basis of family ties
• Registration of EU citizens’ and family members’ residence cards